The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-14

national encampment, ] believe they
should be permitted to do so urrestrained
by my presence as the guest of the or
ganlGation, or as the guest OF the hos
pitable city IL which their meeting is
! held.
| number of Grand Army posts have
signitied their intention, am informed,
to remain away from the enoampment in
case l visit the city at that time. Without
considering the merit of such an excuse,
feel that ought not to be the cause
of such non-attendance. The time
and place of the encampment were fixed
long before my invitations were received.
Those desiring to participate i'll lis pro-
ceedings should be first regarded and
nothing should be permitted to interfere
with their intention.
Another consideration of more i'm
portance than all others remains to be
noticed. The fact was referred to by you
when you verbally presented the invita-
ton of the citizens of st. Louis, that the
coming encampment of the Grand Army
of the Republic would be the first held in
a southern state. suppose this fact was
mentioned as pleasing Indication of the
fraternal feeling fast gaining ground
throughout the entire land and hailed by
every patriotic citizen as an earnest de-
sire that the union has really, and in fact,
bean saved in sentiment and in spirit,
with all the benefits it vouchsafe5 to a
united people. 1 cannot rid myself of
the belief that the least discord on this
propitious occasion might retard the
progress of sentiment of common
brotherhood, which the Grand Army of
the Republic has so good an opportunity
to increase and foster. l certainly ought
not to be the cause of such discoro in
any event or upon any pretext.
It seems to me that you, the citizens of
st. Louis, are entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which have
constrained me to forego my cortem-
plated visit, and to withdraw my accept
ance of your invitation. My presence in
your city, at the time you have indicated,
can be of but little moment, compared
with the importance of the cordial and
harmonious entertainment of your other
guests. I assure you that I abandon
my plan without the least per
sonal feeling, except the re-
quest of being constrained thereto,
by sense of duty, actuated by desire to
save any embarrassment to the people OF
St. Louis, or their expected guests, and
with heart full of grateful appreciation
of the sincere and unaffected kindness of
your citizens.
Hoping the encampment may be an oc-
casion of much usefulness, and that it's
proceedings may illustrate the highest
patriotism of American citizenship,
am, Yours Very Sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
PUBLIC OPINION STIRRED UP.
ST. LOUIS, July 1.-THE presidents let
ter to Mayor Frances, Withdrawing his
accep tance of an invitation of the people
of st. Louis to visit this city during the
Grand Army encampment, has stirred up
hot and diversified expressions of opinion.
The committee that took the invitation to
the president feel that their labor has
been in vain, and are strong In their
denunciation of the men who were instru-
mental in the defeat OF their plan. Their
friends are equally displeased, especially
so, as the citizens generally, of st. Louis,
had made great effort to induce the
president to make the visit. The chagrir
} was so great with many that they wished
to organize Immediately to invite the
Grand Army to find another place fol-
their encampment, and some promised
very icy reception to the gallant soldiers
There were many others, however, wht
saw the wisdom of the presidents course
and were pleased that that the city hat
been relieved of what promised to be al
unpleasant affair. Many feel that tn
city has been Inundated, and are indig
nant about it, but agree that the Gran'
!, Army's encampment shall be
glorious success, and that a
some other time the presiden
shall have a reception in keeping with tn
high office he holds.
In regard to this the citizens commit
tee determined to take immediate steps
and at o'clock this afternoon assemble
$ in the Office of Mayor Francis and dis
i cussed the situation. 1t was unanimousl
: decided to be an unfortunate state of af
t fairs, and steps were taken to have tn
= president invited to come at another time
u For this purpose a committee wa
9 Amounted to draw up reso
'' lutions to be submitted 10
mass meeting of citizens that Will b
o called to assemble at the Merchants ex
o change tomorrow afternoon, ines
: resolutions will embody an invitation t.
a the president to visit this city during fai
j week, early in October, or some othe
9 time that may suit his convenience, AM
. will promise him an enthusiastic recep
i ton. A citizens committee will then b
7 appointed to again visit the presiden
r and endeavor to induce him to come.
WESTERN TRIP ABANDONED.
WASHINGTON, July 1T is practicall
). settled that the president will not visi
: the west at all during the present yeal
q The abandonment of his proposed visi
a TO st. Louis has resulted in wholly chang
T ing whatever plans he had made TO
q visiting the western cities. 1t is stated a
a the White House this afternoon that tn
: only plans the president has made TO
= leaving Washington during the summe
and autumn are those for his visit t
t Clinton, N. Y, on the 18th instant, whic
b will probably not consume, altogether
a more than weeks time, and for hi
= visit to Atlanta, in October next, on tn
: occasion of the Georgia State fair.
S DOES IT INCLUDE THE ENTIRE TRIP?
= New YORK, July IA Washingto
special says: No statement will at pre-
i emit be authorized at the White Houf
t, from which it can be determined whetht
y or not the decision of the president not